Improvement in hoop-skirts



, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIs P. BRAY, OE BIRMINGHAM, CONNECTICUT, AssIeNoR To HIMsELF AND DOWNs a-RAssETT, oF SAME PLACE. l

IMPROVEMENT IN HooP-sKlR-rs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. ll.",68l. dated March 14, 1871.

Be it known that I, MORRIS P. BRAY, of Birmingham, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Hoop-Skirts; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings andthe letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same,

and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

` i Figure 1 aside view, and in Fig. 2 a rear v1ew. r r

This invention relates to an improvement in hoop-skirts, especially to that part termed the "bustle,77 the object of the invention being to form a support for the bustle, to sustain it in a central position at the back and prevent its turning or being pressed out of shape.

The invention consists `in combining withy the transverse and `vertical springs, which, in connection with the bands and tapes, form the bustle, diagonal springs running from the band at one side across and down to the lower spring upon the opposite side, thus `forming a brace which prevents the transverse and vertical ,springs from changing position.

A is the band, B the tapes, and C the springs, of a common hoop-skirt'.

D are transverse springs extending from the tab E, near the front-on one side, around a corresponding tab on the opposite side.

` F are vertical springs extending from the band down to the tapes, and secured at theirv ,site side crossing the first diagonal spring to the lower spring ofthe bustle, as seen in Fig. 2. `The said diagonal spring being rmly secured in position and to the parts securely,

guards against all derangement or misplace.

ment of the 'springs or bustle.

I claim as my :invention i In ahoop-skirt, in which are combinedtransverse springs D and vertical springsF to form the bustle,the arrangement of diagonal springs I I, substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.

. M. P. BRAY.

Witnesses:

J ORN H. SHUMWAY, A. J. TIBRITTs. 

